Famous Choreographers

Jennifer Lopez, known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress, and dancer. She impacted the entertainment industry. Jennifer Lopez was born July 24, 1969, in The Bronx, New York City, to Puerto Rican parents Guadalupe Rodríguez and David López. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television show In Living Color before acting. Lopez gained fame for playing Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the film Selena, which brought her wide acclaim. This success led to bigger roles, like those in Maid In Manhattan.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2nd, 1977. Shakira is a singer and songwriter recognized globally for mixing Latin pop and rock music. Shakira developed a performing interest early. She often performed belly dancing at school shows, a skill that became a signature move. Her career gained speed after releasing her first two albums under Sony Music Colombia at age thirteen. Releasing Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? helped her further.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is an iconic music industry figure. He was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Michael showed a strong passion for music early. He started his career with The Jackson 5. His talent quickly made him a solo star. Michael made major contributions that shaped pop culture. Jackson's music and dance set new standards for art. He released albums like Thriller, which remains a top seller.

Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, became a music icon. Her career covered over fifty years, giving immense input to rock and roll and earning her "The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" title. Turner's early life faced hardship. Her parents, both sharecroppers, could not give her a stable home because of their relationship and money troubles. Despite these issues, Turner found comfort in music, singing in the church choir, and later forming a duo with her sister.

Paula Abdul is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, and television personality. She was born June 19, 1962, in San Fernando, California. Abdul's artistic path started young. As a child, she was a cheerleader and worked on her dance skills. This talent brought her to the spotlight when The Jacksons spotted her at a Los Angeles Lakers game, leading to her role as choreographer for their music video "Torture." Abdul's career grew even bigger.

Liza Minnelli, born March 12, 1946, in Hollywood, California, is a legendary American actress and singer. She has a powerful presence on stage and screen. Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli are Liza's parents. Liza achieved greatness early. Her stardom started in the late 1960s. She won a Tony Award for her performance in Flora the Red Menace. This made her the youngest woman to win that award then. Minnelli's career grew in the 1970s. Her role as Sally Bowles in the film adaptation of Cabare made her career soar.

Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez on October 8, 1985, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He uses his talents as a singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer to reach top stardom. He earned many awards and became one of the best-selling music artists ever. Mars entered music at a young age. His musically inclined family heavily influenced him. He moved to Los Angeles after high school to pursue music. He signed with Motown Records in 2004. His career really took off after signing with Atlantic Records in 200

Gene Kelly, born Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23, 1912, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a top American actor and dancer of the 20th century. Kelly used innovative choreography and magnetic on-screen charisma. He changed the musical film genre. His effect on entertainment lasts past his death in 1996. Many still see him as a symbol of grace, talent, and innovation. Kelly began dancing at a young age in his mother's school. The school opened to keep the family going during the Great

Fred Astaire, born Frederick Austerlitz in 1899, emerged from Omaha, Nebraska, as an influential dancer, singer, and actor of the 20th century. His career lasted over seven decades. He appeared on Broadway and in films with his innovative dance routines and acting. Astaire started dancing young with his sister, Adele. They debuted in vaudeville when Fred was five. After moving to New York, they had a successful Broadway career in the 1920s, starring in shows like For Goodness Sake and

Hema Malini, called the "Dream Girl" of Indian cinema, made big contributions to film, politics, and classical Indian dance. She was born in Ammankudi, Tamil Nadu, in 1948. Malini's career path became extraordinary. She went from a Bharatanatyam dancer to an acclaimed Bollywood actress and then a respected politician. Her film career started in 1963 with the Tamil film Ithu Sathiyam; her Bollywood start was in

Maksim Chmerkovskiy started ballroom dancing early. His parents brought him to a school in Odessa, Ukraine. He quickly mastered ballroom dance; the school became his base. As a teen, a bad skiing accident nearly tore his leg off. Doctors inserted a 12-inch metal rod after many surgeries. Doctors doubted Chmerkovskiy could walk without a limp, much less dance. Physical therapy brought him back on his feet.

South Korean rapper PSY gained global fame. He used unconventional looks, controversial lyrics, and funny dance moves to hit the mainstream with "Gangnam Style" in 2012. PSY defied rules early on. He did not look like a typical male Korean pop star, but his music separated him. His debut album, PSY from the PSYcho World! (2001), set his musical tone, featuring songs the South Korean government found obscene. He kept making music that stirred things up.

Kamal Haasan was born November 7, 1954, in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Haasan began his film career at age six with the movie Kalathur Kannamma, earning the President's Gold Medal. Haasan shows skill as an actor, director, producer, and singer. He acted across five languages—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi—making him a pan-Indian artist. Haasan pioneered work in p

Konidela Kalyan Babu, known as Pawan Kalyan, is an Indian film actor, producer, writer, and politician. His film work focuses mainly on Telugu cinema. Kalyan is the youngest brother of actor Chiranjeevi. He made his acting debut in the 1996 Telugu film Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi. In 1998, he starred in Tholi Prema, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu that year. Kalyan appeared in films like Gokulamlo Seetha, Suswagatam, Tholi Prema, Thammudu, Badri, Kushi, Jalsa, and Gabbar Singh.

Carrie Ann Inaba was born January 5, 1968, in Honolulu, HI. She practiced dance as a child. Inaba used her musical skills to win a statewide talent competition at age 16. After high school, Inaba pursued a music career in Japan. She collaborated with Pony Canyon Records on singles: Party Girl (1987), China Blue (1987), and Be Your Girl (1987). Inaba studied at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. She later returned to the United States, enrolling first at the University of California, Irvine, then at the University of California

Stanley Kirk Burrell, born March 30, 1962, became MC Hammer, an American entertainer. He gained fame as a rapper in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Energetic performances, unique dance moves, and catchy hits made him popular. Hammer helped popularize rap music. He was born in Oakland, California. Hammer's early life involved hardship. He was one of eight children living in a small apartment in East Oakland. He found comfort in music and dance early on. Charles O. Finley, owner of the Oakland Athletics, recognized his talent.

James Lipton pulls out personal, deep, and inspiring stories from major show business figures. He helps aspiring actors and filmmakers. Lipton started his entertainment career studying the performing arts. His strong passion and natural talent moved him to the front of every project. This ranged from Broadway lights to busy daytime TV schedules. Lipton advanced his career as a television producer. He managed Bob Hope's star birthday specials, "Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Gala" (CBS, 1977), and the cri

MØ, Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen, is a Danish singer, songwriter, and record producer. She left a big mark on the global music industry. She was born August 13, 1988, in Ubberud, Denmark. MØ was drawn to music early on, showing a strong liking for punk rock and pop. Her career started with her first album, No Mythologies to Follow, released in 2014. MØ's art features a unique electropop sound and lyrics that pull from personal feelings and experiences.

Debbie Allen, born January 16, 1950, became a multi-talented figure in entertainment. Raised in Houston, Texas, Allen showed early interest in dance. She improved her skills at Howard University and later under George Faison, a legendary choreographer. This training built the base for Allen's career in dance, acting, choreography, directing, and producing. She earned awards for her work, including three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography and a Golden Globe Award for Best A

Tracy Phillips is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer in Southern California. She was born to Laurie Phillips and Wade Phillips, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and the Denver Broncos. Tracy has one younger brother, Wes Phillips, who coaches tight ends for the Washington Redskins. Tracy is the granddaughter of former Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips.

Briana Evigan is an American actress. She appeared in "Step Up All In," "Ask Me to Dance," and "ToY."

Chelsie Kay Hightower, born July 21, 1989, is a ballroom dancer. She served as a dance partner, trainer, and choreographer on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars, competing professionally from Season 8 through Season 15, skipping Season 13.

Tall, red-haired actor and dancer, McFadden studied in Paris and acted in New York plays like "Emerald City," "Cloud 9," and "The Matchmaker." She played a small part as a secretary in the 1984 film "The Muppets Take Manhattan." Later, she worked with Jim Henson as the director of choreography and puppet movement for the film "Labyrinth" (1986). McFadden also appeared in the CBS TV series "The Wizard" (1986-87) and found success in another fantasy and adventure series.

Thomas James "Tommy" Tune, born February 28, 1939, is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. He earned ten Tony Awards and the National Medal of Arts throughout his career.

Jung Ji-hoon, known as Rain, was born June 25, 1982. He works as a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and music producer. Rain released seven albums (six Korean, one Japanese) and twenty-eight singles, touring globally. His third Korean album, It's Raining (2004), became a hit, producing a number one single that sold a million copies in Asia and made Rain an international star. In 2015, Rain started his company, R.A.I.N. Company.

Farah Khan Kunder, born January 9, 1965, is an Indian film director, producer, actress, dancer, and choreographer. She created dance routines for over a hundred songs in more than eighty Hindi films. She won six Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography and the National Film Award for Best Choreography. Farah Khan also worked on international projects like Marigold: An Adventure in India, Monsoon Wedding, Bombay Dreams, and the Chinese films Perhaps Love and Kung Fu Yoga, earning a Tony Award.

Alyson Rae Stoner, born August 11, 1993, is an American actress, voice artist, singer, dancer, and model. Stoner starred in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2007), and the Step Up franchise (2006, 2010, 2014). She danced for artists including Missy Elliott, Eminem, Kumbia Kings, Outkast, and Will Smith. Stoner also hosted Disney Channel's Mike's Super Short Show (2001–2007) and voiced Isabella Garcia-Shapiro in Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015).

Adam Shankman became known on "So You Think You Can Dance?" (Fox 2005-). He also built a career as a film and TV director, producer, and choreographer. Shankman started as a dancer in music videos in the 1980s. He moved into choreography before directing his first feature film, the Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy "The Wedding Planner" (2001). People quickly saw Shankman's comedic skill, so he directed films for Steve Martin, but Shankman returned to film adaptation.

Wade J Robson acts, produces, and directs. Robson appeared in "You Got Served." Robson won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2008 for "So You Think You Can Dance."

Rosie Perez, born Rosa Maria Perez on September 6, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. Perez grew up in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and faced foster care because her biological parents caused problems. Perez found comfort in the performing arts, especially dance. This path helped her succeed in Hollywood. Perez's journey from Brooklyn streets to Hollywood stardom is inspiring. Her breakthrough came...

Peta Jane Murgatroyd is a New Zealand/Australian professional dancer. She is best known for her appearances on the American edition of Dancing with the Stars.

Columbus Short began his professional performing career in the late '90s as a touring ensemble dancer in "Stomp." Short became a familiar face in TV and film during the next decade. Background roles in popular movies like "You Got Served" (2004) and "War of the Worlds" (2005) led to his breakout role as DJ Williams in the hit film "Stomp the Yard" (2007). As Short became a Hollywood star, he kept performing onstage. Short choreographed the pop star Britney Spears for her elaborate Onyx Hotel Tour in the mid-

Maya Deren (April 29, 1917 – October 13, 1961), born Eleonora Derenkowska (Ukrainian: Елеоно́ра Деренко́вська), was a Ukrainian-born American experimental filmmaker. She promoted the avant-garde in the 1940s and 1950s. Deren also worked as a choreographer, dancer, film theorist, poet, lecturer, writer, and photographer. Deren believed film created an experience. She mixed her interests in dance, Haitian Vodou, and subjective psychology in short, surreal, black-and-white films. She used editing, multiple exposures, jump-cutting, and superimposition.

Nicole Arbour, born June 26, 1985, is a Canadian comedian, recording artist, choreographer, actress, dancer, singer, and YouTube personality.

Tatchakorn Yeerum (Thai: ทัชชกร ยีรัมย์; RTGS: Thatchakon Yiram; pronounced [tʰát.t͡ɕʰā.kɔ̄ːn jīː.rām]; formerly Phanom Yeerum (Thai: พนม ยีรัมย์; [pʰā.nōm jīː.rām]); born February 5, 1976), known internationally as Tony Jaa and in Thailand as Jaa Phanom (Thai: จา พนม; RTGS: Cha Phanom; [t͡ɕāː pʰā.nōm]), is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, director, and Buddhist monk. His films include *Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior* (2003), *Tom-Yum-Goong* (2005), *Ong Bak 2: The Beginning* (2008), *Furious 7* (2015), *SPL II: A Time for Consequences* (2015), and *Paradox* (2017).

Jerome Robbins is a celebrated American choreographer. His work includes classical ballet and contemporary musical theater. He worked on stage productions like "High Button Shoes," "Wonderful Town," "Bells Are Ringing," and "Fiddler on the Roof." On film, Robbins recreated his stage dances for *The King and I* (1956). He shared the Best Director Oscar with Robert Wise for the film version of *West Side Story* (1961). The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave him a special award for his film choreography.

Harry Shum Jr., born April 28, 1982, is a Costa Rican-American actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. He stars as Mike Chang on the Fox television series *Glee* (2009–2015) and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform series *Shadowhunters* (2016–2019). He received four Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for his *Glee* performance, won one, and won the Male TV Star of 2018 award at the E! People's Choice Awards for *Shadowhunters*. He appeared in *Step Up 2: The Streets* (2008), *Step Up 3D* (2010), *White Frog* (2012), and *Revenge of the Green Dragons*.

Ashley Roberts is an actress. She appeared in *I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!*, *Dancing On Ice*, and *Dance Monsters*.

Gregory Hines, a black tap dancer with a mustache and great charm, started his career at age five with his brother Maurice. He appeared on Broadway three years later. Hines received three Tony Award nominations in a row for his Broadway work: "Eubie!" (1979, as Eubie Blake), "Comin' Uptown" (1980), and "Sophisticated Ladies" (1981), a revue of Duke Ellington songs. He won the Tony prize in 1993 for his starring role as jazz great 'Jelly Roll' Morton in the

Stanley Donen, one of the 20th century's top directors, was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1924. Donen started dance lessons as a child. Dance stayed his greatest passion even while he studied psychology at the University of South Carolina. He finished only one semester. Then, with family support, he moved to New York to become a professional dancer. Donen got his first role in the chorus of the original Rodgers and Hart "Pal Joey" production in 1940. There, he met long-time friend and collaborator Ge.

Brian James Pockar (October 27, 1959 – April 28, 1992) was a Canadian figure skater. He earned the 1982 World bronze medal. Pockar won three Canadian national championships (1978–80). He competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Pockar was born and died in Calgary. After turning professional, Pockar toured with Stars on Ice and worked as a choreographer. AIDS killed Pockar in 1992. Scott Hamilton revealed Pockar's homosexuality in his autobiography, Landing It.

Jade Esteban Estrada is an American singer, actor, comedian, journalist, and human rights activist. Out Magazine called him "the first gay Latin star."

Reba Sabrina Hinojosa, born September 16, 1984, performs as Sabrina Bryan. Bryan is an American singer, actress, author, songwriter, fashion designer, choreographer, dancer, and television personality. She was a member of the girl group The Cheetah Girls. Bryan starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie The Cheetah Girls and its sequels, The Cheetah Girls 2 and The Cheetah Girls: One World. Before TV, Bryan danced and trained at Hart Academy of Dance in La Habra, California.

Alvin Ailey (January 5, 1931 – December 1, 1989) was an African-American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist. He founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most successful dance companies. Ailey created AAADT and its Ailey School to nurture Black artists and show the universality of the African-American experience through dance. His work mixed theatre, modern dance, ballet, and jazz with Black vernacular. He made hope-fueled choreography that keeps spreading awareness of Black life in America.

Arthur Mitchell acted, produced, and wrote. He appeared in "Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse."

Michael K. Williams started in dance and music videos. He became a real talent with his performance as Omar Little. Omar Little was an openly-gay stick-up artist. He roamed Baltimore streets, robbing drug dealers and selling stolen goods to other pushers on "The Wire" (HBO, 2001-08). Writers wanted to end Omar in season one, but Williams gave his character magnetic charm and humor.

Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991) was an American modern dancer and choreographer. Her Graham technique changed American dance and remains taught globally. Graham danced and taught for over seventy years. Graham first performed at the White House. She traveled abroad as a cultural ambassador. The US gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian award. In her life, she earned honors from the Key to the City of Paris to Japan's Imperial Order of the Precious Crown. She stated this in the 1994 documentary The Dancer.

Alwin Nikolais acted in "Nik and Murray."

Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas (Greek: Αναστάσιος "Σάκης" Ρουβάς; born January 5, 1972), known as Sakis, is a Greek recording artist, model, actor, businessman, and former pole vaulter. Born in Corfu, Rouvas won medals on the national athletics team in the 1980s. Rouvas began a music career in 1991 as a dance-pop performer in Greece. His tenor vocals, complex choreography, costumes, and technology changed music videos and live shows. Rouvas avoids domestic music.

Mark Morris refers to several people: Mark Morris (author) (born 1963); Mark Morris (choreographer) (born 1956), an American dancer and choreographer; Mark Morris (cinematographer), known for work on Andy Sidaris films like Do or Die; Mark Morris (footballer, born 1962), an English football player and manager; Mark Morris (footballer, born 1968), an English football player for Wrexham; Mark Morris (ice hockey) (born 1958); and Mark R. Morris (astrophysicist) (born 1957), an American astrophysicist. Mark Morris attended Mark Morris High School in Longview, Washington.